Residents and staff at a Spalding care home were treated to the rare sight of a Penny Farthing when a cycle enthusiast visited with a selection of vintage bikes.

Cedar Falls care assistant Hayley O’Brien braved a ride on the oh-so-tall bike and said it had made her day.

Collector Keith Read uses a replica Penny Farthing as his everyday bike and says: “I’m sure it’s quite a sight when I’m cycling through the local area.”

His passion for bygone bikes was ignited when he bought an original Penny Farthing, so named because the big wheel resembles an old penny and the back wheel the farthing.

Keith, who lives near Stamford, said: “I’ve always done a bit of cycling but after I invested in the Penny Farthing I really got the bug and started riding it regularly. But I was worried about the effect all the use would have on the original so I had a reproduction made.”

His display at Cedar Falls included the reproduction Penny Farthing along with a half-size Penny Farthing, a 1911 Raleigh ladies’ vintage bike nd a 1905 Swift cycle.

Staff and residents at the home had the chance to saddle up and ride the bikes and that gave registered manager Nike Ajewole her first experience of riding a cycle.

Cedar Falls events coordinator Sharon Boyd said: “It was really marvellous to see such amazing cycles and to be able to ride them was such a thrill.”